Process for delivering an order to a semiautonomous motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

Technologies and techniques for delivering an order to an at least semiautonomous motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle. If an ordering function is activated, provider information is obtained from potential providers that offer delivery of an order by means of a mobile delivery system within a predefined area on a determined route from a current position of the motor vehicle to a destination. Coordinates and a time for a meeting of the motor vehicle with the mobile delivery system are determined for each of the potential providers that have been determined using traffic condition and planning criteria, and a corresponding ordering option that can be activated is provided. As soon as the ordering option is activated, the motor vehicle is at least semiautonomously driven to the determined meeting.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/927,806 filed Jul. 13, 2020, which claims priority toEuropean Patent App. No. EP19186582.3 to Viktor Bader, filed Jul. 16,2019, the contents being incorporated by reference in their entiretyherein.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates to a process for delivering an order to an atleast semiautonomous motor vehicle, and a motor vehicle with a controlunit that is configured to execute corresponding parts of a process insuch a process.

Many people carry an intelligent device with them these days, aso-called smart device, for example, a smartphone. Various additionalfunctions already exist for such devices, for example, orderingapplications for ordering goods and/or services, or navigationfunctions. If the person is in a motor vehicle, for example, at thetime, it may contribute to the convenience if an ordering process with aservice provider, for example, a delivery service for food, is carriedout from the motor vehicle.

US 2017/0089720 A1 discloses a process for a motor vehicle in whichnavigation information is first evaluated and it is determined whichservice provider offers are available along the route taken by the motorvehicle. As a result, an occupant in the motor vehicle is able to make areservation at a restaurant on the route and/or directly contact aservice provider.

CN 107036616 A discloses a navigation-based ordering system in which anoccupant can specify a desired delivery target for where an order is tobe delivered, for example, a meal order.

The object of the invention is to provide a solution by means of whichan order for an occupant of a motor vehicle can be convenientlydelivered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of the invention shall be explained below in reference to thedrawing. Therein:

FIG. 1 shows a yaw moment regulation in a motor vehicle, in a schematicillustration;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present disclosure are designed to deliver an order to anat least semiautonomous motor vehicle. It may be regarded asparticularly convenient for an occupant of the vehicle if the order isdelivered to the occupant directly in the motor vehicle. The order canbe, for example, a food order, for example, a pizza, a fast-food meal,or some other dish. Alternatively or additionally, the order can be apackage or a letter, wherein a prerequisite for this is that thedelivery of the order to the motor vehicle is within reason with regardto the size and/or weight of the object. The motor vehicle is preferablyfully autonomous, but can also be semiautonomous, controlled using adriver assistance system, wherein a target destination has been enteredand the navigation system for the driver assistance system, for example,a navigation system in the motor vehicle, is activated at that time.

Processes for delivering an order to the at least semiautonomous motorvehicle may include the following steps: first, it is checked whether anordering function is activated in the motor vehicle. A symbol can bedisplayed for this purpose, for example, on a touchscreen in the motorvehicle, which then can be actuated to activate the ordering function.The ordering function may also be activated by means of a correspondingapplication on a mobile end device, for example, a smartphone carried byan occupant in the motor vehicle, for example, if the mobile end deviceis coupled with the motor vehicle, for example, via a Bluetoothconnection. The ordering function can then be activated by the occupantof the motor vehicle. The activated ordering function can thereforeindicate that he wants to have food delivered to the at leastsemiautonomous motor vehicle. The activation of the ordering functioncan also indicate that the occupant wants some other arbitrary order tobe delivered.

In some example, a current position and destination of the motor vehiclemay be determined in a further step. At least one route from the currentposition of the motor vehicle to the destination may be subsequentlydetermined, taking route optimization criteria into account. Thesecriteria contain guidelines regarding route planning for the motorvehicle, and can be set, for example, through inputs from the occupantof the vehicle. In this manner, it can be determined, for example, whichtype of street is preferably driven on when selecting the route. Acurrent traffic situation between the current position and thedestination may also be taken into account by the route optimizationcriteria when determining a route. In some examples, more than onepossible route may be determined, wherein the individual routes differwith regard to, for example, the overall driving distance, overalldriving time, and/or overall fuel consumption by the motor vehicle foreach route. Various possibilities that are regarded as optimal may betherefore first determined, taking the route optimization criteria intoaccount, each of which leads from the current position to the targetdestination. The current position can be any arbitrary location on aroad, and the destination for the motor vehicle can be the occupant'saddress, for example.

If the ordering function has been activated, provider data are obtainedfrom potential providers in a further step. These providers arerespective providers that offer delivery of an order by means of amobile delivery system within a predefined area along the at least onedetermined route. If the occupant indicates, for example, using theactivated ordering function, that he wants to place a food order,various potential delivery services for restaurants that are designatedto deliver food within a respective predefined area along one of therespective routes for the motor vehicle are displayed. The respectivedelivery system can be a delivery service using a courier, in particularusing a semiautonomous or fully autonomous vehicle, a bicycle courier,or an autonomous delivery drone. The provider information contains, forexample, the name of the potential provider, information regarding itsmenu selection, i.e. available food and/or beverages, customer ratingsfrom people who have used this provider previously, informationregarding additives in the meals that are offered, and/or additionalinformation regarding a restaurant as a potential provider for take-outorders. This provider information is only supplied by the providers thatoffer delivery within a maximum distance to the respective determinedroutes, such that potential providers that do not offer delivery alongthe route from the current position to the target destination, and aretherefore irrelevant, are not listed. The corresponding maximumdistance, i.e. the predefined area, can be determined by the provider,or it can be set for all potential providers, using a general standardvalue for the maximum distance.

For each potential provider from which the respective providerinformation is obtained, coordinates and a point in time at which themotor vehicle will meet with the mobile delivery system are thendetermined for delivery of the order. This determination takes placeusing traffic condition criteria describing current traffic conditions,and planning criteria. The planning criteria comprise, for example,coordinates for the respective potential provider, i.e. a point oforigin and/or availability of the order. In addition, preparation timesfor the order, capacity of the mobile delivery system, and other datarelating to the planning for delivery of the order, are also provided.The traffic criteria contain information, for example, regarding thetraffic flow between the current position of the motor vehicle and apotential meeting point with the mobile delivery system, as well asbetween the point of origin and/or availability of the order and thepotential meeting point. Information regarding congestion, constructionsites, or speed limits along a route from the respective startinglocation to the potential meeting point can also be taken into account.It is therefore possible to determine a meeting point with regard to thetime and location where the order can be delivered and thus obtainedfrom the mobile delivery system, such as the bicycle courier, by themotor vehicle, and thus the occupant of the motor vehicle, using thetraffic criteria and planning criteria. The coordinates for the meetingare determined as the location, and the time of the meeting isdetermined as the time. The determined coordinates for the meeting pointmay be the coordinates for a rest area, a parking lot, a parking space,or some other location where it is possible to deliver the order withoutimpeding other road users. The time depends on the delivery time thepotential provider needs for the order, and a distance to the meetingpoint from the current position of the motor vehicle, and the point oforigin and/or availability for the potential provider.

The obtained provider information, as well as the determined coordinatesand the determined time for the meeting, are then displayed on a displaypanel in the motor vehicle. It is also possible to distinguish whichorder from the potential provider can be delivered at what time to thedetermined location for the meeting from the provider information.Furthermore, there can also be an ordering option that can be activatedfor placing the order with the potential provider. By way of example, inaddition to displaying the information regarding the delivery of theorder on the touchscreen in the motor vehicle, or on the mobile enddevice coupled to the motor vehicle, there can also be an actuationfunction with which the order can be placed, such that the delivery ofthe order to the determined coordinates and at the determined time forthe meeting can be confirmed.

If the ordering option for placing an order with a potential provider isthen activated, i.e. a delivery service and the dish that is desiredhave been selected, the motor vehicle is at least semiautonomouslydriven to the determined meeting with the mobile delivery system. Themotor vehicle is therefore driven to the determined, and potentiallyconfirmed by means of the confirmation function, meeting with the mobiledelivery system, such that it drives to the determined coordinates andarrives there at the anticipated time for the meeting. The order canthen be obtained at the location for the determined meeting at thedetermined time, the coordinates and time for which have beendynamically determined taking the traffic and planning criteria intoaccount. If the occupant of the motor vehicle decides to order a pizzafrom a pizzeria, for example, that offers delivery within the predefinedarea along the determined route, the motor vehicle takes the occupant ofthe motor vehicle to the determined meeting using the process, such thatthe occupant of the motor vehicle can receive the pizza from the mobiledelivery system, i.e. a pizza delivery courier, for example. By thismeans, the optimal meeting point for delivery of the order to the motorvehicle is automatically determined without any input from the occupantor the delivery service. Consequently, an advantageous meeting point forboth parties can be determined and agreed on, based on the trafficconditions, as well as the current planning state of the provider, i.e.the capacity of the pizzeria. As a result, it is not necessary to make adetour to get to the pizzeria itself, nor does the occupant of the motorvehicle have to be concerned with any planning to obtain the order,because the motor vehicle is automatically driven by its at leastsemiautonomous driver assistance system to the determined meeting.

The individual steps described above are preferably executed by acontrol unit in the motor vehicle, which can exchange information withan external processor, for example, an external server for coordinatingorders placed with a potential provider. The communication between thecontrol unit and this external processor takes place, for example, via arespective wireless communication connection, for example, a Car-to-Xcommunication, or a mobile data network.

Embodiments that result in additional advantages are also contemplatedin the present disclosure.

In some examples, if the ordering option is activated, ordering datadescribing the placement of a delivery order, as well as the determinedcoordinates and the determined time for the meeting of the motor vehiclewith the mobile delivery system are transmitted to an externalprocessor. The external processor then uses delivery planning criteriato determine a delivery route to the meeting point, and a delivery timefor the mobile delivery system. The determined delivery route and thedetermined delivery time are then sent to the mobile delivery system.Therefore, not only is the route from the current location of the motorvehicle to the coordinates determined for the meeting point provided forthe motor vehicle, but also a corresponding route planning is providedfor the potential provider. The external processor is preferablyinvolved in planning the delivery route for the delivery system. Theexternal processor can be in the form of a server, for example, but itcan also be a mobile end device, for example, a smartphone carried by abicycle courier, a computer operated by the potential provider, or aserver for an ordering service provider.

The traffic criteria describing the current traffic conditions can bedrawn on to determine the delivery route as well as the delivery time.It can also be taken into account in in the delivery planning criteriafor planning the delivery route, that deliveries may be made todifferent customers by the mobile delivery system, for example, thedelivery system may have to go to various different coordinates forrespective food deliveries in the case of a food delivery service.Furthermore, the precise time for the mobile delivery system to leavewith the order can be dynamically adjusted depending on the determineddelivery route or delivery time, and optimized for the potentialprovider with regard to costs and the sequence of deliveries. This mayensure that the order will actually be delivered to the motor vehicle atthe determined meeting point by the mobile delivery system.

In some examples, if provider information is obtained from numerouspotential providers, a respective ordering probability may be determinedwith ordering behavior criteria based on the obtained providerinformation. This ordering probability estimates the probability that anoccupant of the motor vehicle will place an order with the respectivepotential provider of the order. The determined ordering probability isthen evaluated to provide the respective ordering option for the order.

The offer of the ordering option can be personalized with the orderingbehavior criteria in that, for example, information regarding a typicalordering behavior of the occupant can be taken into account. If it isknown, for example, that the occupant prefers Italian food, and in thiscontext, normally orders a pizza margherita, this typical choice can bestored with the ordering behavior criteria. There is therefore a highprobability of ordering a pizza margherita, whereas the probability ofordering a pasta dish would be lower. Food orders of other types, forexample, from a fast-food menu, would accordingly have a lowerprobability than the pasta dish, because they do not reflect thepreference of the occupant for Italian food. The ordering option forpizza margherita at the pizzeria, or numerous pizzerias, is thenhighlighted on the display panel, and shown, for example, as the firstindividual ordering option, or as successive numerous ordering optionsfrom a list of ordering options. Other ordering options from otherproviders or other dishes are listed below in order of decreasingprobability. As a result, it is easy and convenient to place an orderfrom the motor vehicle that would most probably be ordered by theoccupant. Such a prioritizing of selected ordering options using theordering behavior criteria can be set by the occupant personally, suchthat intentionally selected preferences can be stored in the motorvehicle. It is also possible to prioritize specific orders on thedisplay screen, based on the frequency with which they are placed,potentially with a specific potential provider, in the list of providerinformation obtained in the framework of ordering options.

It is also possible to display a history of previous orders, forexample, the last five orders, placed from the motor vehicle. As aresult, ordering behavior criteria is likewise used and an orderingprobability is determined, in that by listing recent orders, it may bepossible to determine one item has a higher probability than another ofbeing ordered.

According to some examples, it is provided that the ordering behaviorcriteria comprises at least one of the following guidelines: a maximumtime limit for delivery of the order, a maximum price for the order, amaximum delay for arrival at the destination through driving to thedetermined coordinates for the meeting, a minimum average customerrating for the potential provider, and/or stored ordering behavior datafor the occupant. Corresponding adjustments can be made by the occupantin advance, for example, to provide the occupant with an ideal means ofordering using the process described herein. By way of example, theoccupant may desire the quickest possible delivery, such that themaximum time required for the meeting is of relevance, and is thereforespecified. The occupant can specify, for example, that all deliveriesmust take place within 20 minutes after placing the order, such thatpotential providers that have longer delivery times are not displayed,or only displayed with lower priority as an option for placing an order.A price range can also be specified for the desired order. A potentialmaximum detour from the current route may also be relevant to theoccupant, due to how long the occupant is willing to spend time in themotor vehicle to reach the determined meeting point and then return tothe current route, thus delaying arrival at the ultimate destination.The occupant can also determine whether a minimum positive rating fromothers who have already made purchases from the potential provider, forexample, in an online rating portal for delivery services, should beused as a criterion for whether the potential provider should bedisplayed. It is possible to store preferences for food and/or beveragesusing the stored ordering behavior data for the occupant. Foodallergies, dishes that are not liked, and favorite foods and beveragescan also be specified. The ordering probability can be particularlyeasily determined based on the specified individual guidelines, suchthat a list sequence for the possible orders can be tailored to theoccupant. Consequently, the selection of both the order and the provideris made user friendly, such that orders can be easily placed withgreater probability of selecting the optimal order and/or by identifyinga desired order with greater probability, such that it can besubsequently placed.

In some examples, an ordering probability for an occupant of the motorvehicle is determined using ordering preference criteria. If thedetermined ordering probability is greater than a predefined minimumlimit probability, the ordering function can be activated in thevehicle. It is checked at the start of the process whether the orderingfunction has been activated in the motor vehicle, which can take place,as described above, through a manual activation of the ordering functionby the occupant of the motor vehicle. It is also possible for the motorvehicle itself, for example, with a control unit in the motor vehicle,to dynamically and automatically first calculate whether the orderingprobability is sufficient for automatically activating the orderingfunction.

The probability and associated data may be stored in the motor vehicle,using the ordering preference criteria, for example, that the occupantof the motor vehicle normally eats lunch between 12:00 and 1:00 PM, andlikes to have lunch delivered to the motor vehicle at this time, if theoccupant is driving a longer distance at lunchtime, for example, to abusiness meeting. With such an occupant, an increased orderingprobability is assumed starting at 11:30, in that starting at 11:30 AM,the minimum limit probability has been reached, such that it issuggested to the occupant of the motor vehicle by means of acorresponding display on the display panel in the motor vehicle that afood delivery service be selected where lunch can be ordered that isable to deliver the order to the motor vehicle between 12:00 and 1:00PM. As a result, an occupant of the motor vehicle who might forget toeat lunch, due to stress, for example, can be reminded that it is closeto their normal lunch time, thus providing a convenience tailored to thespecific desires of the occupant. An automatic determination of theordering probability, for example, for the delivery of medications thatmay be needed at a specific time, may be relevant to the occupant of themotor vehicle. A coupling of the ordering preference criteria to theguidelines stored by the occupant regarding orders that are currently orwill soon be needed, for example, food, household goods, or bookshipments, may also be useful. Accordingly, it is therefore possible toautomatically offer an ordering function tailored to the occupant, thusincreasing the convenience for the occupant of the motor vehicle whenplacing an order for delivery.

In some examples, the ordering behavior criteria, the ordering behaviordata, and/or the ordering preference criteria are stored in an occupantprofile linked to the occupant of the motor vehicle. This occupantprofile is configured to provide the ordering option and/or orderingfunction. If the ordering behavior criteria are stored, for example, inthe occupant profile linked to the occupant of the vehicle, they can beevaluated and drawn on when determining the respective orderingprobability for the respective potential providers, and therefor forproviding the ordering options. The ordering behavior data in the formof data stored in the occupant profile are used for specifying theordering behavior criteria for the respective occupant. If the occupantprofile contains, in general or additionally, ordering preferencecriteria, they can also be evaluated and drawn on for the orderingfunction in the motor vehicle.

The occupant profile can be stored in the motor vehicle, for example, ina memory in the motor vehicle, and/or in the external processor,wherein, if it is stored in the external processor, there is acorresponding data exchange between the motor vehicle and this externalprocessor for transferring the information stored in the occupantprofile. The data exchange takes place, for example, via a Car-to-Xcommunication, or some other type of wireless communication connection.The occupant profile can be activated for this by the occupant of themotor vehicle currently using the motor vehicle. It is also possible toidentify the occupant of the vehicle with a sensor system, by means ofwhich an occupant in the driver's seat of the motor vehicle isidentified by a camera in the vehicle interior and an evaluation devicein the motor vehicle that is configured to execute object identificationprocedures, and consequently the occupant profile for the occupantidentified in the driver's seat can be called up and/or uploaded. It isalso possible to identify another occupant in the motor vehicle notsitting in the driver's seat. This would be the case, for example, if itis detected by the camera and the evaluation device that a passenger hasactuated the corresponding actions, for example, the activation of theordering function, on the display panel in the motor vehicle, such thatthe passenger is identified as the relative occupant for the orderingprocedure. If it is determined, for example, that the occupant of themotor vehicle who activated the ordering function, or selected theordering option, ordered pizza margherita the last time, this willaffect both the ordering options that are displayed and potentially thepoint in time at which the ordering function is automatically provided.

The order can also be placed independently of the preferred orderingoptions that are presented, such that it is possible to change abeverage or food selection at any time independently of the orderingbehavior for the occupant stored in the occupant profile, for example.

The linking to the occupant profile makes it possible in some examplesto not store the relevant data relating to placing the order in themotor vehicle itself, such that these data can be accessed at any timeby the motor vehicle in an occupant profile stored for example in anexternal central server. This reduces the amount of data stored in themotor vehicle and also facilitates any updating of the occupant profile,because it can not only store orders placed from the motor vehicle in ahistory, but also links the occupant profile to other orders, forexample, food deliveries, such that it can be tailored to the individualparticularly effectively. This increases the convenience for theoccupants of the motor vehicle.

In some examples, the ordering function may be activated in the motorvehicle if it has been determined that a predefined driving action is tobe executed by the motor vehicle. It may be the case, for example, thatevery time the motor vehicle exits a highway, it can be assumed that theoccupant of the vehicle may want a food delivery. As soon as the motorvehicle determines that it has exited the highway in the framework ofthe route to the target destination, the ordering function is displayed,such that the occupant can decide whether or not to place an order forfood to be delivered to the motor vehicle. Specifically, it may be thecase that whenever the driver of the vehicle decides to leave thecurrent route, for example, on a highway, via an exit, this drivingaction, i.e. leaving the highway at an exit, thus detouring from theroute proposed by the navigation system, is linked to a desire to eat onthe part of the occupant. At this point, a new intermediate destinationis automatically generated without having to be queried, which is ameeting, i.e. the coordinates for a meeting with a mobile deliverysystem for a restaurant, because this driving action is stored in thesystem, linked to a desire for food. At this point, the navigationsystem will not attempt to steer the driver back to the highway, butinstead first check whether there is a potential provider in the area,and then display the corresponding provider information, and thedetermined coordinates and a time determined for the meeting, in themotor vehicle, and provide the corresponding ordering function. The areacan be defined in this case to be within a 30 km radius or 15 minutesdriving time from the exit ramp on the highway, such that any detoursassociated with leaving the highway can ultimately be kept as short aspossible.

A variety of predefined driving actions can be stored in general in thiscontext. There can also be a permanent location link, for example, suchthat when the distance to the destination is 50 km, for example, theordering function is displayed to the occupant as an ordering functionthat can be activated in the motor vehicle. The driving action that ispredefined in this case can preferably be defined by the occupant of themotor vehicle, for example, using the occupant profile or acorresponding adjustment in the motor vehicle. The ordering probabilityitself is not determined for this, and instead, the ordering function isprovided in the motor vehicle, or even automatically activated,depending only on the observed driving action. This is particularlyconvenient for an occupant of the motor vehicle who exhibits behaviorroutines and habits that are linked, for example, to a location, drivingmaneuver, or a distance to the destination, which can therefore bereadily evaluated and taken into account when placing an order fordelivery.

In some examples, a query signal may be transmitted to the at least onepotential provider for which provider information has been obtained.This query signal asks whether the order can be delivered to thespecified coordinates and at the specified time by the at least onepotential provider. The ordering option for the provider is onlyprovided if a response signal is received, by means of which the queryis confirmed. If it is not possible to deliver the order to thespecified location at the specified time, for example, because thekitchen where the order must first be prepared is too busy, or becausethe mobile delivery system is too busy, this is determined prior toplacing the order and taken into account accordingly. It may be the casethat the responding potential provider is unable to deliver the order tothe specified coordinates at the specified time, at which point, if theorder is still desired from the corresponding provider, an additionaldetour or additional waiting time on the part of the motor vehicle maybe accepted at the discretion of the occupant of the motor vehicle. Thespecification of the coordinates and time for the meeting thereforetakes into account not only the corresponding prerequisites for themotor vehicle, but also for those for the potential provider or themobile transfer device. This ensures that only those ordering optionscan be activated that can actually be implemented, and thus exist, suchthat it is not possible to place an order that cannot be delivered tothe coordinates and at the time specified by the motor vehicle, forexample. As a result, a delivery order can be placed particularlyreliably.

In some examples, the provider information may include current ordertime data. The order time data are continuously generated using thetraffic condition criteria describing the current traffic conditions andthe planning criteria. The current order time data may be refreshed, forexample, at respective predefined time intervals, for example, everyminute. These order time data indicate the latest point in time at whichthe ordering option can be activated for placing an order to bedelivered to the specified coordinates at the specified time for themeeting. Ultimately, this also tells the occupant how much time there isfor placing a binding order, so that the order can be placed earlyenough to be able to reach the specified meeting place at the specifiedtime.

The respective latest time may be dependent on a selected dish, i.e. theeffort required, for example, for preparing the selected dish. For eachpotential provider, i.e. for every delivery service, the occupant isshown dynamically the time at which the binding order must be placed inorder to reach the specified meeting for the transfer in time. Dependingon the current traffic conditions, and the current number of orders tothe potential provider, for example, these order time data may vary. Ifthere is suddenly a traffic jam, for example, between the restaurant forthe potential provider and the specified coordinates for the meeting,the latest point in time may be moved forward, for example. By way ofexample, it may be necessary to place an order earlier with thepotential provider, due to traffic conditions, to reach the specifiedmeeting in time, as opposed to in peaceful, relaxed traffic conditions.During the display of the obtained provider information, the specifiedcoordinates, and the specified time for the meeting, the latest possiblepoint in time determined for placing the order, and thus the currentorder time data, is also shown. This information can be shown, forexample, with the ordering option that can be activated. As a result,the occupant can already assess how quickly and when a binding ordermust be placed when selecting an item, and can consequently make adecision without additional stress. This contributes to the conveniencefor the occupant, because he will not feel forced into placing an order,and can avoid making a hasty decision regarding the order. A potentialfor stress caused by pressure to make a decision based on an assumed,but not actually existing, lack of time for making the decision, isconsequently reduced when using the process.

In some examples, the delivery of the order to the specified coordinatesmay be checked at a specified time for the meeting can still be achievedafter the ordering option has been activated using realization criteria.It may be continuously checked, e.g., in predefined time intervals, forexample, of typically a minute, whether the initially specifiedcoordinates and the specified time for the meeting of the motor vehiclewith the mobile delivery system can still be met, both on the part ofthe motor vehicle and on the part of the mobile delivery system and thepotential provider. The realization criteria comprise, for example,information regarding current traffic conditions, such as the trafficcondition and planning criteria. By way of example, the delivery routeand the delivery time for the mobile delivery system, the currentcapacity of the kitchen for the potential provider of the food, and orthe current driving behavior of the driver of the motor vehicle, if thedriver is determining the speed of the motor vehicle, are thereforetaken into account in the framework of the realization criteria. If itis then determined that the order cannot be delivered to the specifiedcoordinates at the specified time for the meeting, alternativecoordinates and/or an alternative time for an alternative meeting aredetermined using the traffic condition and planning criteria. The motorvehicle is then at least semiautonomously driven to the alternativemeeting.

If it has been determined, for example, that a delivery cannot be madeat a desired time to a parking lot along the driving route, because thedesired order is delayed, an alternative location can be determined, forexample, three kilometers further along the route, but closer to therestaurant for the potential provider, and the driving route for themotor vehicle as well as delivery route for the mobile delivery systemare automatically updated and adjusted. The transfer location and thetransfer time for the food delivery is therefore re-generated andpotentially dynamically adjusted. Current traffic conditions areparticularly decisive with such a dynamic adjustment using therealization criteria, in particular when this results in a delay inreaching the coordinates specified for the meeting. Other criteria mayalso be relevant, such as the capacity of the provider's kitchen, thecapacity of the mobile delivery system, or other events relating to themobile delivery system, for example, a flat tire, such that analternative delivery system has to assume delivery of the order. Byplanning an alternative meeting, the actual meeting of the motor vehiclewith the delivery system can be realized with a high probability,because any delays or other impediments regarding the initiallyspecified meeting can always be avoided with a high probability bygenerating an alternative meeting for delivering the order to the motorvehicle. The occupant is therefore no longer actively involved with theactual delivery of the order after placing the order, and can assumethat the meeting is automatically planned, taking all of the possiblecircumstances into account, and that through corresponding controlcommands to the motor vehicle and the mobile end device, it is highlyprobable that the order will be actually delivered. The reliability ofthe delivery of the order is therefore very high. It is particularlyhigher than with conventional processes, in which only the specifiedlocation and the specified time for the meeting are taken into accountwhen the order is placed, without any dynamic adjustments, for example,due to changing traffic conditions.

In some examples, as soon as the ordering option is activated, a bindingorder for the delivery is placed with the corresponding provider, forexample, a binding delivery is demanded by means of the mobile deliverysystem to the specified coordinates and at the specified time. There areno further queries, therefore, regarding whether the occupant actuallywants to place the binding order, and instead, the activation of theordering option per se is regarded as the placing of the order. As aresult, placing an order is simple and uncomplicated.

Alternatively, in another example, as soon as the ordering option isactivated, an order confirmation option that can be activated isdisplayed in the motor vehicle. A binding delivery order is first placedwith the corresponding provider after activating the order confirmationoption. There are therefore no additional queries or requests from thepotential provider, for example, to the occupant of the motor vehicleregarding whether the binding order is actually intended. It may be thecase in particular, that the order time data is first displayed toindicate to the occupant how much time is left to actually place thebinding order with the provider by activating the ordering option. Thisshows in a particularly intuitive manner that, although the orderingoption has already been selected and specified, the occupant can stillwait before placing the binding order, in case he spontaneously wants tochange or cancel his order with the selected provider. Together with thedynamic display of the time before the latest possible time for placingthe order, this provides an additional check with which it can beensured that the occupant actually wants delivery of the order by meansof the mobile delivery system, or that this desire will be maintainedfrom the perspective of the occupant.

The motor vehicle according to the present disclosure comprises acontrol unit. This control unit is configured to execute the steps ofthe process described above for delivering an order to an at leastsemiautonomous motor vehicle. The motor vehicle therefore comprises acommunication interface, for example, configured for Car-to-Xcommunication, or communication via a mobile data network. Acommunication connection to an external processor is established withthis communication interface, via which corresponding providerinformation can be received, and the data describing the current trafficconditions are transmitted for use with the traffic condition criteria.Furthermore, the ordering option that has been activated can also besent to the corresponding provider by means of the communicationinterface and the communication connection, such that the order isactually placed. The examples presented herein in conjunction with theprocess according to the present disclosure and their advantages applyaccordingly, where applicable, to the motor vehicle according to thepresent disclosure. For this reason, the corresponding developments ofthe motor vehicle according to the present disclosure shall not bedescribed again.

The present disclosure also provides the control unit for the motorvehicle. The control unit has a processor that is configured to executean embodiment of the process, i.e. the steps of the process according tothe present disclosure that take place in the motor vehicle. Theprocessor can contain, for example, a microprocessor and/or at least onemicrocontroller for this. The processor can also contain program codeconfigured to execute the embodiment of the process according to thepresent disclosure when it is executed by the processor, i.e. the stepsthat take place in the motor vehicle. The program code can be stored ina data memory in the processor.

The present disclosure also contemplates combinations of the features ofthe embodiments described herein.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure is described below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a motor vehicle, the occupantof which places a delivery order with a mobile delivery system undersome examples.

In the exemplary embodiment, the components of the embodiment eachrepresent individual features of the present disclosure that are to beregarded independently, which can each be further developedindependently in the framework of the present disclosure, and aretherefore also to be regarded individually or in combinations other thanthose shown as a component of the present disclosure. Furthermore, theembodiment described herein can also be supplemented with other featuresof the present disclosure described above.

Elements having the same function are provided with the same referencesymbols in the FIGURE.

A motor vehicle 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which travels at leastsemiautonomously on a street 11. The motor vehicle 10 shown here isactually driven fully autonomously on the street 11, and comprises acontrol unit 12, a display panel 14, and a communication interface 16.The control unit 12 is configured to engage in the longitudinal guidanceand the transverse guidance of the motor vehicle 10, among other things,i.e. to at least semiautonomously control the motor vehicle 10. Thecommunication interface 16 is configured to establish a communicationconnection 19 to an external processor 33. This communication connection19 can be in the form of a Car-to-X communication or communication via amobile data network or mobile telephone network. The motor vehicle 10 isat the current position 18, indicated in the FIGURE with an X. Thedisplay panel 14 is a touchscreen in the motor vehicle 10.Alternatively, the display panel 14 can be a touchscreen on a smartphone27 carried by an occupant of the motor vehicle 10, which is located inthe motor vehicle 10 and coupled to the control unit 12 in the motorvehicle 10, for example, using a Bluetooth connection between thesmartphone 27 and the communication interface 16 in the motor vehicle10. Alternatively, the panel in the motor vehicle 10 is not touchsensitive, and instead is coupled to an operating device, such thatfunctions displayed on the panel that can be activated by means of theoperating device, which comprises a rotating nob or a button, can beselected. The motor vehicle 10 also has a navigation system, with whichthe motor vehicle 10 is driven on the street 11 along a predefinedroute.

In the first step S1 it is checked whether an ordering function 17 hasbeen activated in the motor vehicle 10. A corresponding orderingfunction symbol that can be selected is displayed on the display panel14 in the motor vehicle for this. The ordering function 17 can bemanually activated by the occupant of the motor vehicle 10.Alternatively or additionally, an ordering probability for the occupantof the motor vehicle 10 may also be determined using an orderingpreference criteria. If the determined ordering probability is greaterthan a predetermined limit probability, the ordering function 17 can beactivated in the motor vehicle 10. The ordering preference criteria cancomprise typical dining times or typical ordering times for the occupantof the vehicle 10, such that at noon, or some other typical dining timefor the occupant, there is a high probability that the occupant willplace an order, and the ordering function 17 is then automaticallydisplayed for activation in the motor vehicle 10, which can then beactivated through the display panel 14, i.e. through tapping on thecorresponding ordering function symbols on the touchscreen. The orderingfunction 17 can therefore be automatically presented for activation,i.e. without first having to actively select and activate the orderingfunction 17 in a menu function on the display panel 14.

Alternatively or additionally, the ordering function 17 can be activateddirectly, and/or presented for activation, as soon as it has beendetermined that a predefined driving action has been executed by themotor vehicle 10. With a semiautonomous motor vehicle 10, manuallycontrolled by the occupant, and who only receives driving directionsregarding the route from the navigation system, the ordering function 17can be automatically activated if a stored predefined driving action isknown, as soon as the predefined driving action takes place. Theactivation of the ordering function 17 can be linked to deviating fromthe route 22 a, 22 b proposed by the navigation system, such that thisdriving maneuver is interpreted as though the occupant of the motorvehicle 10 had manually activated the ordering function 17.

In another step S2, the current position 18 and a destination 20 of themotor vehicle 10 are determined. The destination 20 is the residence ofthe occupant of the vehicle 10. The current position 18 is a point onthe street 11 where the motor vehicle 10 is currently located. At leastone route 22 a, 22 b from the determined current position 18 to thedetermined destination 20 is then determined based on route optimizationcriteria. In this case, two possible routes 22 a, 22 b are determined,each of which leads to the destination 20. These differ in certaindetails, potentially with respect to the arrival time at the destination20 and the total driving distance. Routes 22 a, 22 b that result in adisproportionately large increase in the driving distance and/or drivingtime are not proposed. Corresponding guidelines are either stored in thestandard manner or provided by the occupant, using the routeoptimization criteria in the motor vehicle 10. The determination of atleast one route 22 a, 22 b takes place in step S3.

If the ordering function 17 is activated, provider information 25 a, 25for potential providers 24 a, 24 is obtained in step S4. These potentialproviders 24 a, 24 offer delivery of an order 28 a, 28 b by means of amobile delivery system 26 in a predefined area 29 a, 29 b along the atleast one determined route 22 a, 22 b. The one potential provider 24 ais an Italian restaurant, and the other potential provider 24 b is afast food restaurant. The one potential provider 24 a, the Italianrestaurant, can deliver an order 28 a for a pizza. This pizza order 28 acan be delivered by the provider 24 a using, for example, a bicyclecourier. This bicycle courier has a mobile end device in the form of asmartphone 27, by means of which the delivery of the order 28 a can beorganized in detail. Analogously to the Italian restaurant that is thepotential provider 24 a, the fast-food restaurant potential provider 28b can offer delivery of a fast-food meal order 28 b by means of themobile delivery system 26 for the fast-food restaurant in a predefinedarea 29 a for the fast-food restaurant. The predefined area 29 a, 29 bcomprises a delivery radius for the respective potential provider 24 a,24 in which it is willing to deliver the order 28 a, 28 b by means ofthe mobile delivery system 26. The predefined area 29 a in which thepotential provider 24 a, the Italian restaurant, is willing to deliverthe order 28 a is located on the route 22 a, while the predefined area29 b for the potential provider 24 b, the fast-food restaurant, in whichthe fast-food restaurant is willing to deliver the order 28 b is on thesecond route 22 b.

In the next step S5, a meeting of the motor vehicle 10 with the mobiledelivery system 26 for delivery of the order 28 a, 28 b from the mobiledelivery system 26 to the motor vehicle 10 is determined for each of thepotential provider 24 a, 24 b from which provider information 25 a, 25 bhas been obtained. For this, both the coordinates 30 a, 30 b and a time31 a, 31 for the meeting are determined. The coordinates 30 a for themeeting with regard to the potential provider 24 a indicate a parkingarea 50 along the route 22 a. The time 31 a is a time 31 a eight minutesin the future. The coordinates 30 b for delivery of an order 28 b fromthe potential provider 24 b are also determined, which indicate aparking lot 52 along the second route 22 b. The time 31 b is 15 minutesin the future. The coordinates 30 a, 30 b and the times 31 a, 31 b aredetermined using traffic condition criteria describing the currenttraffic conditions and planning criteria. The times 31 a, 31 b aredetermined such that the occupant of the vehicle 10 will only have towait at most for a very short time, typically less than five minutes, atthe determined coordinates 30 a, 30 b, if the meeting is booked for thecorresponding time 31 a, 31 b. Using these criteria, difficult trafficconditions on the corresponding routes 22 a, 22 b can likewise be takeninto account, as well as the time required for delivery from therespective potential provider 24 a, 24 b.

In a next step S6, the obtained provider information 25 a, 25 b,comprising, for example, the names of the potential providers 24 a, 24 band details relating to the respective orders 28 a, 28 b, together withthe coordinates 38 a, 30 b and times 31 a, 31 b determined for themeeting with each of the potential providers 24 a, 24 b, is determinedfrom the respective provider information 25 a, 25 b and displayed on thedisplay panel 14 in the motor vehicle 10. The type of restaurant, i.e.the type of food offered by the potential provider 24 a, 24 b isindicated with a symbol. A slice of pizza may be displayed for thepizzeria, and a portion of French fries may be shown for the fast-foodrestaurant. In addition, the determined times 31 a, 31 b for themeeting, details regarding the orders 28 a, 28 b from the respectiveproviders 24 a, 24 b in the form of provider information 25 a, 25 b, andinformation regarding the coordinates 30 a, 30 b for the meeting areshown on the display panel 14.

In a next step S7, an ordering option 32 a, 32 b for placing thedelivery order 38 a, 38 b with a potential provider 24 a, 24 b can beactivated. A button can be shown for this on the touchscreen displaypanel 14. As soon as the ordering option 32 a, 32 b is activated, abinding order for delivery of the order 28 a, 28 b can be sent to thecorresponding provider 24 a, 24 b. Alternatively, it may be providedthat as soon as the ordering option 32 a, 32 b has been activated, aorder confirmation option 42 a, 42 b is displayed, and the bindingplacement of the delivery order 28 a, 28 b is first sent to the provider24 a, 24 b after this order confirmation option 42 a, 42 b has beenactivated. There can also be an additional query, asking if the occupantactually wants the order 32 a, 32 b to be placed.

In the context of providing the ordering options 32 a, 32 b that can beactivated, it may be the case that, if provider information 25 a, 25 bis obtained from numerous potential providers 24 a, 24 b, as is the casehere, a respective ordering probability is first determined for eachpotential provider 24 a, 24 b using ordering behavior criteria appliedto the obtained provider information 25 a, 25 b. The orderingprobability estimates the probability that the occupant of the motorvehicle 10 will order from the respective determined potential providers24 a, 24 b of the order 28 a, 28 b. The determined ordering probabilityis evaluated for activating the ordering options 32 a, 32 b for theorders 28 a, 28 b. The ordering behavior criteria can comprise previousorders from the occupant, i.e. an order history, and/or preferences thathave been set. At least one of the following guidelines can be storedtherefore, using the ordering behavior criteria: a maximum time fordelivery of the order 28 a, 28 b, a maximum price for the order 28 a, 28b, a maximum delay for arriving at the destination 20 by activating thecoordinates 30 a, 30 b determined for the meeting, a minimum averagecustomer rating for the potential providers 24 a, 24 b, and/or orderingbehavior data for the occupant that have been stored. The orderingbehavior data can be stored, for example, in an occupant profile 37.When a corresponding occupant profile 37 is selected on the touchscreenpanel, it can be manually activated and/or modified by the occupant ofthe vehicle 10. The occupant profile 37 can also, or alternatively, beconfigured on an occupant's mobile end device, a computer, and/ortablet, and/or stored in the external processor 33. The stored orderingbehavior data can comprise the order history, information regarding foodallergies, favorite dishes and beverages of the occupant, and/orinformation regarding typical mealtimes for the occupant. The orderingbehavior criteria per se, and an ordering preference criteria for theoccupant, can also be stored in the occupant profile 37. The orderingpreference criteria has already been described above in the context ofthe automatic provision of the ordering function 17 for activation inthe motor vehicle 10. The occupant profile 37 can be uploaded from theexternal processor 33 via the communication connection 19, such thatboth the ordering options 32 a, 32 b, as well as potentially theordering function 17, are evaluated with the data stored there, and canbe taken into account internally in the motor vehicle 10. It may also bepossible to store the occupant profile 37 in the control unit 12 in themotor vehicle 10.

In a next step S8, if the ordering option 32 a, 32 b from one of thepotential providers 24 a, 24 b is activated by the occupant, the motorvehicle 10 is at least semiautonomously driven to the determined meetingwith the mobile delivery system 26 for delivery of the order 28 a, 28 bfrom this potential provider 24 a, 24. The motor vehicle 10, which iscurrently fully autonomously driven by the control unit 12 is thereforefully autonomously driven to the determined meeting with the mobiledelivery system 26, without the occupant of the motor vehicle 10 havingto do anything else. If the occupant decides to order a pizza 28 a fromthe potential provider 24 a, i.e. the Italian restaurant, the motorvehicle 10 is automatically steered to the first route 22 a, such thatit will arrive at the determined time 31 a at the determined coordinates30 a in the parking area 50.

After the ordering option 32 a has been activated, order information 34that describes the placement of the delivery order 38 a, i.e. thedelivery of the pizza 28 a, as well as the determined coordinates 30 aand the determined time 31 a for the meeting of the motor vehicle 10with the mobile delivery system 26, is sent to the external processor33. After this step, a delivery route 35 and a delivery time 36 for themobile delivery system 26 for the determined meeting is determined instep S10 using delivery planning criteria. This determination can takeplace in the external processor 33 that can be in the form of a server.In a subsequent step S11, the determined delivery route 35 and thedetermined delivery time 36 are sent to the mobile delivery system 26.The determined delivery route 35 and the determined delivery time 36 aresent as respective data to the bicycle courier's smartphone 27, who thendelivers the pizza 28 a to the determined meeting using his bicycle,i.e. by means of the mobile delivery system 26. The corresponding datatransfer takes place via the external processor 33, which establishes acorresponding communication connection 19 with a communication interface16 on the bicycle courier's smartphone 27, at least for the datatransfer.

This accordingly makes it possible to deliver the order 28 a, i.e. thepizza, from the mobile delivery system 26 to the motor vehicle 10 at thedetermined time 31 a, corresponding to the delivery time 36, at thedetermined coordinates 30 a in the parking area 50. To ensure that thisdelivery and transfer can actually take place, a query signal 38 is sentto the potential provider 24 a, 24 for which the provider information 25a, 25 b has been obtained, by means of which it is asked whether thedelivery of the order 28 a, 28 b to the determined coordinates 30 a, 30b and at the determined time 31 a, 31 b for the meeting is offered bythe at least one potential provider 24 a, 24 b. The ordering option 32a, 32 b for this provider 24 a, 24 b can only be activated if a responsesignal 39 has been received, according to which the query transmitted inthe form of a query signal 38 is confirmed. If the fast food restaurant,for example, the potential provider 24 b, responds using the responsesignal 39, that it is not possible to deliver the fast food meal to thedetermined coordinates 30 b in the parking lot 52 at the determined time31 b because the fast food restaurant is currently too busy, thisordering option 32 b is never even displayed, for example, on thedisplay panel 14 in the motor vehicle 10. In this case, the occupant canonly place an order 28 a from the one potential provider 24 a, forexample, the Italian restaurant.

The provider information 25 a, 25 b that is displayed on the displaypanel 14 also comprises current order time data. The current order timedata are continuously generated using the traffic condition criteriadescribing the current traffic conditions and the planning criteria.Current order time data for the respective potential provider 24 a, 24 bcan be determined each minute, or even more frequently, or lessfrequently. The order time data indicate the latest possible time 57 a,57 b for activating the ordering option 32 a, 32 b, for delivery of theorder 28 a, 28 b to the determined coordinates 30 a, 30 b and at thedetermined time 31 a, 31 b for the meeting. The time remaining untilthis latest time 57 a, 57 b at which the ordering option 32 a, 32 b isto be activated in order to arrive at the meeting can also be displayedon the display panel 14, in addition o the determined time 31 a, 31 b.If traffic conditions change, for example, due to an unexpected trafficjam, or preparation of the pizza, i.e. the order 28 a, is delayed, thecurrent remaining time until the binding placement of the order can bedisplayed as the latest time 57 a, 57 b on the display panel 14. Theoccupant can then decide whether or not he still wants to place theorder 28 a, 28 b, i.e. the pizza, even if delivery will be delayed, forexample, due to a traffic jam on the street 11, because the motorvehicle 10 would first arrive at the determined coordinates 30 a in theparking area 50 that was assumed at the start in the first steps S1 toS4. In addition, after a certain amount of time has elapsed betweenactivating the ordering function 17 and the actual activation of theordering option 32 a, 32 b, it can be ensured that current informationis always available at the time the ordering option 32 a, 32 b isactivated, such that a binding order is not placed that no longercorresponds to the current order time data because of delivery delaysfrom the provider 24 a, 24 b or delays due to the current trafficconditions. In this case, only the latest time 57 a, 57 b for activatingthe ordering option 32 a, 32 b is shown initially.

It may also be continuously checked through use of realization criteria40, after the ordering option 32 a, 32 b has been activated, whether thedelivery of the order 28 a, 28 b can still be achieved at the determinedcoordinates 30 a, 30 b and at the determined time 31 a, 31 b for themeeting. This is illustrated with the motor vehicle 10′ in the FIGURE.In the framework of the use of the realization criteria 40, the currenttraffic conditions and the current planning by the provider 24 a, 24 b,i.e. the traffic condition and planning criteria, are taken intoaccount. If it has been determined that the delivery of the order 28 a,28 b to the determined coordinates 30 a, 30 b and at the determined time31 a, 31 b for the meeting can no longer be achieved, alternatecoordinates 30 c and/or an alternative time 31 c for an alternativemeeting are determined, and the motor vehicle 10′ is at leastsemiautonomously driven to the alternative meeting. An alternativemeeting, for example, due to delivery delays for the pizza, i.e. theorder 28 a, can be determined in the form of alternative coordinates 30c in a parking space 54, which is also located on the route 22 a to thedestination 20. Such a meeting no longer takes place eight minutes inthe future, as originally determined, but first 20 minutes in thefuture. As a result, the delivery of the order 28 a, 28 b to theoccupant of the motor vehicle 10′ is delayed, but the desired order 28a, 28 b, i.e. the pizza from the Italian restaurant, will still bedelivered without an additional detour, i.e. deviating from the selectedroute 22 a. The alternative time 31 c is preferably the same as thepreviously determined time 31 a, 31 b, such that only the coordinates 33a, 33 b, 33c for the meeting differ. A transfer location and transfertime for the food delivery is therefore generated dynamically, and alsodynamically adjusted to the current conditions. After the Italianrestaurant is selected as the provider 24 a, and the order 28 a, i.e.the pizza, has been selected, The determined coordinates 30 a for theparking area 50 are first dynamically determined as the deliverylocation, and then, due to a change in traffic conditions or deliveryconditions, or a change in the delivery conditions at the Italianrestaurant, the alternative delivery location is determined in the formof the alternative coordinates 30 c for the parking space 54, andautomatically driven to. The corresponding alternative coordinates 30 cand the alternative time 31 c are sent to the mobile delivery system 26as an alternative delivery route 35 and therefore an alternativedelivery time 36, such that the actual delivery can still take placewithout difficulty.

On the whole, the example represents a convenient means for placing anorder with a service provider in conjunction with route navigation. Itis also relevant that, prior to activating the order confirmation option42 a, 42 b, or prior to activating the ordering option 32 a, 32 b, theorder may not yet be placed, and thus the previous procedure is abortedin a non-binding manner, and/or it is possible to navigate back to adisplay of the determined provider information 25 a, 25 and thedetermined coordinates 30 a, 30 b and the determined times 31 a, 31 bfor the meeting, on the display panel 14 in the motor vehicle 10.

If a food order from the occupant has already been placed beforestarting travel, or during travel in an (autonomous) motor vehicle 10,the food order should then be able to be transferred from a serviceprovider to a location that can be dynamically changed, to or throughwhich the occupant would drive. This is of particular interest inscenarios with autonomous driving. The service provider is also able todynamically alter the transfer location depending on the situation(including, but not restricted to, traffic conditions). With futurefully autonomous motor vehicles, scenarios in which the vehicleoccupants are relaxing, or even sleeping in the cab, shall become morefrequent. This also includes scenarios in which travelers are broughtover night from an initial location, i.e. the current location 18, to atarget location, i.e. the destination 20, with a fully autonomous motorvehicle 10. In this context, it may be the case that the occupant wakesup in the motor vehicle 10 in the nighttime, and wants to order foodand/or beverages, but does not want to get out of the motor vehicle 10.The occupant can store restrictions with regard to the orderingprocedure in advance, in order to simplify the procedure, which mayinclude:

-   -   a maximum time until transfer of the food, or the fastest        possible delivery;    -   a maximum price for the meal;    -   a maximum delay potentially caused by a change in the route 22        a, 22 b;    -   a minimum positive rating from other customers in an online        rating tool for the delivery service 24 a, 24 b (or even for a        specific dish or meal);    -   a prioritization for specific dishes, or storing of preferences        for the food and/or beverage (allergies, bans on certain foods).

The customer, i.e. the occupant, can be shown possible serviceproviders, i.e. the potential providers 24 a, 24 b along the route 22 a,22 b, with background information, such as that listed above, i.e. withprovider information 25 a, 25 b. Recent orders, potentially withpersonal ratings of the possible potential provider 24 a, 24 b, are alsoshown initially. Prioritizations can also be specified by the occupantfor the above points, such that the list of suggestions of potentialproviders 24 a, 24 b is prioritized accordingly. If an occupantinitiates an order via the display panel 14 coupled to the vehicle'snavigation system, an intermediate destination can be dynamicallygenerated, based on the availability for a potential provider 24 a, 24 band the actual route 22 a, 22 b, such that the order 28 a, 28 b, i.e.the meal, can be delivered to the occupant at an intermediate stop. Thedelivery of the meal takes place at a location that can be altereddynamically, which can adjusted dynamically in accordance with thetraffic conditions for the occupant and the delivery system 26. Thetransfer of the corresponding service or product, i.e. the order 28 a,28 b, therefore may take place at a parking lot 52 on a highway, and canpotentially also be delivered with a drone or a combination comprising adelivery vehicle (potentially also autonomous) and a drone. Thepotentially autonomous motor vehicle 10 of the occupant may also bedriven fully autonomously (in accordance with a dynamic adjustment tothe transfer location) to a rest area on the highway, exiting thehighway, and waits there for the delivery of the order 28 a, 28 b, i.e.the freshly prepared meal.

The two parties (the occupant and provider 24 a, 24 in the form of amobile delivery system 26) can meet at a common location, this being thecoordinates 30 a, 3 b determined for the meeting. The ordering of a mealcould also refer in general to other services or products that have beenordered. Another example may be configured were, if only the address fora restaurant is given as the destination 20 by the navigation system ina motor vehicle 10, or if a branch of a restaurant chain lies within acertain radius of the destination, or if a branch of a restaurant chainis specifically searched for and then driven to, a simple and convenientordering can be initiated from the motor vehicle 10. If the occupantwants to place an order, suggestions of orders he has typically madefrom a branch of the restaurant chain in the past are presented, fromwhich he can make a selection. The prioritization of the list ofprevious orders can then potentially be preset: an order that has beenfrequently placed for a specific item 28 a, 28 b will be placed higherin the list. The list can also correspond to a history that typicallycomprises the last five orders, from which the occupant can chose andplace an order from the motor vehicle 10. This listing is thencomparable to a destination search in the navigation system, with thesearch term “last destination,” but instead with a list of “last orders”and/or “last orders from restaurant X.” An order can be placed by meansof a selection that can be activated, i.e. the ordering option 32 a, 32b. The presorting with the previous orders can also be connected with aperson identification in the vehicle cab: in this manner, it is detectedwho the driver or initiator of the order is, and it is even possible topresent a selection for each person in the motor vehicle correspondingto the detected number of people, and potentially with respective personidentifications, even corresponding to the respective “last orders.” Therespective individual orders can naturally be modified if desired, i.e.by selecting a different beverage, etc.

It is also advantageous if the provider 24 a, 24 b is also informed withthe placement of an order for food when the destination 20 is expectedto be reached, such that the meal can be freshly prepared.Alternatively, the order is first to be sent out when the occupant hasreached a specific distance to the provider, or the anticipated drivingtime falls below a predefined limit. It may also be the case that anadjusted anticipated arrival time is continuously dynamicallytransmitted at predetermined time intervals. The suggested menus underthe “last orders” in the ordering procedure can also depend on the timeof day, the weekday, or the season. As a result, breakfast menus can besuggested in the morning, and suggestions for cake and coffee and/orsnacks can be proposed in the afternoon.

A meal can also be ordered dynamically, as a function of drivingactions, or a possible order can be queried dynamically if anintermediate destination has been generated dynamically. The followingscenario can be implemented accordingly: the driver causes the motorvehicle to exit the route 22 a, 22 b on the highway via an exit. He hasalready stored the information in the navigation system that he wants toorder food after this driving action (leaving the highway at an exit,making a detour from the route 22 a, 22 b proposed by the navigationsystem), which is then to be generated automatically, or upon request,as a new intermediate destination, such that the navigation system doesnot constantly try to steer the motor vehicle 10 back to the highway. Itmay then be checked whether there is a potential provider 24 a, 24 b inthe area. A specific radius can be predefined for the search, forexample, a maximum of ten kilometers, and/or a maximum of ten minutesdriving time. If the navigation system finds a potential provider 24 a,24 b, the vehicle is driven there—potentially in accordance with aconfirmation following a query. A query for an order can be associatedtherewith in advance (prior to arriving at the provider 24 a, 24), asdescribed above. It makes sense in general for vehicle occupants to beable to initiate orders early while underway, whereas the placement ofthe order with the provider 24 a, 24 b, and potentially the payment,first then takes place when the arrival time is known more precisely,i.e. the determined time 31 a, 31 b is established with a higherrealization probability, or is less than ten minutes in the future, inorder to avoid problems arising when the route changes due to traffic,such that another provider 24 a, 24 b has to be used. The initiation ofthe order, and the potentially associated payment can also be queriedagain. The food can also be delivered by the mobile delivery system 26to the determined coordinates 30 a, 30 b, or the destination 20 whilethe occupant is still underway to the coordinates 30 a, 30 b or thedestination 20. The anticipated arrival time is dynamically transmittedto the service provider, such that the meal can be delivered on time.Delays caused by traffic are therefore automatically taken into account.The occupant can activate a selection option, “order meal atdestination” after entering the destination 20 in the navigation system,and then potentially have the last orders at this location, serving asthe destination 20, listed, and then potentially first have a list ofproviders 24 a, 24 b of previous orders displayed, and then select aprovider 24 a, 24 b from the list, and then proceed as explained above,i.e. by making a selection from a list of previous orders from thisprovider 24 a, 24 b.

There is, of course, always the possibility that the occupant searchesfor new potential providers 24 a, 24 b that can deliver on time to thevehicle 10 in the vicinity of the route 22 a, 22 b. If no provider 24 a,24 b has been ordered from in the past, new providers 24 a, 24 b can besearched for that have delivered to the occupant in the past alonganother route 22 a, 22 b within a respective specified radius, who canalso deliver on time to a location on the current route 22 a, 22 b. Ifno potential provider 24 a, 24 b is found, a compilation of possiblepotential providers 24 a, 24 b can be listed, potentially with knownpreferences of the occupant, who can deliver on time to a location onthe current route 22 a, 22 b. When an order is initiated from a motorvehicle 10 with a fixed destination 20, the occupant can also specifythat the delivery first take place at the arrival time, or first afteran associated delay, or at a predefined time.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   10 motor vehicle    -   11 street    -   12 control unit    -   14 display panel    -   16 communication interface    -   17 ordering function    -   18 current position    -   19 communication connection    -   20 destination    -   22 a, b route    -   24 a, b provider    -   25 a, b provider information    -   26 mobile delivery system    -   27 smartphone    -   28 a, b order (item)    -   29 a, b area    -   30 a, b determined coordinates    -   30 c alternative coordinates    -   31 a, b determined time    -   31 c alternative time    -   32 a, b ordering option    -   33 external processor    -   34 order data    -   35 delivery route    -   36 delivery time    -   37 occupant profile    -   38 query signal    -   39 response signal    -   40 realization criteria    -   42 a, b order confirmation option    -   50 parking area    -   52 parking lot    -   54 parking space    -   57 a, b latest possible time

What is claimed:
 1. A method for operating an at least semiautonomousmotor vehicle, in which an ordering function has been activated,comprising: obtaining provider information, via the ordering function,from potential providers that offer delivery of an order of the orderingfunction via a mobile delivery system to a predefined area on at leastone determined route; determining, for each of the potential providers,coordinates and a time for an intersection of the motor vehicle with themobile delivery system for the at least one determined route usingcurrent traffic condition criteria and planning criteria; displaying theobtained provider information together with respective determinedcoordinates and time for the intersection; activating an ordering optionto place a delivery order with a potential provider, based on thedisplayed provider information; and activating an at leastsemiautonomous guidance of the motor vehicle to the intersection withthe mobile delivery system.
 2. The method according to claim 1, furthercomprising: after activating the ordering option, transmitting (i)ordering data describing the delivery order for the order, and (ii) thedetermined coordinates and determined time for the intersecting of themotor vehicle with the mobile delivery system, to an external processor,for determining a delivery route and a delivery time for the mobiledelivery system for the determined intersecting using delivery planningcriteria, and transmitting the determined delivery route and thedetermined delivery time to the mobile delivery system.
 3. The methodaccording to claim 1, further comprising: determining a respectiveordering probability using order behavior criteria on the obtainedprovider information, and estimating the probability of an order beingsuccessfully fulfilled with the determined potential providers.
 4. Themethod according to claim 3, wherein the ordering behavior criteriacomprises at least one of: a maximum time for the delivery of the order;a maximum price for the order; a maximum delay in arriving at thedestination by driving to the determined coordinates for the meeting; aminimum average customer rating for the potential providers; and/orstored ordering behavior data for the occupant.
 5. The method accordingto claim 3, wherein the ordering probability is determined usingordering preference criteria, and, if the determined orderingprobability is greater than a predefined minimum limit probability, theordering function is provided for activation in the motor vehicle. 6.The method according to claim 3, further comprising storing the orderingbehavior criteria in an occupant profile linked to the occupant of themotor vehicle.
 7. The method according to claim 1, further comprisingdetermining that a predefined driving action has been executed by themotor vehicle, and activating the ordering option in response thereto.8. The method according to claim 1, wherein activating the orderingoption comprises: transmitting a query signal to the at least onepotential provider to determine the at least one potential provider isable to deliver the order to the determined coordinates and at thedetermined time for the intersection, and receiving a response signalconfirming the query signal; and activating the ordering option inresponse thereto.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein theprovider information comprises current order time data, continuouslygenerated using the traffic condition and planning criteria, andindicating the latest possible time for activating the ordering optionin order to place the order such that it can be delivered to thedetermined coordinates and at the determined time for the intersection.10. A system for operating an at least semiautonomous motor vehicle, inwhich an ordering function has been activated, comprising: a memory; anda control unit, coupled to the memory, wherein the control unit andmemory are configured to obtain provider information, via the orderingfunction, from potential providers that offer delivery of an order ofthe ordering function via a mobile delivery system to a predefined areaon at least one determined route; determine, for each of the potentialproviders, coordinates and a time for an intersection of the motorvehicle with the mobile delivery system for the at least one determinedroute using current traffic condition criteria and planning criteria;display the obtained provider information together with respectivedetermined coordinates and time for the intersection; activate anordering option to place a delivery order with a potential provider,based on the displayed provider information; and activate an at leastsemiautonomous guidance of the motor vehicle to the intersection withthe mobile delivery system.
 11. The system according to claim 10,wherein the control unit and memory are configured to: after activatingthe ordering option, transmit (i) ordering data describing the deliveryorder for the order, and (ii) the determined coordinates and determinedtime for the intersecting of the motor vehicle with the mobile deliverysystem, to an external processor, for determining a delivery route and adelivery time for the mobile delivery system for the determinedintersecting using delivery planning criteria, and transmit thedetermined delivery route and the determined delivery time to the mobiledelivery system.
 12. The system according to claim 10, wherein thecontrol unit and memory are configured to: determine a respectiveordering probability using order behavior criteria on the obtainedprovider information, and estimate the probability of an order beingsuccessfully fulfilled with the determined potential providers.
 13. Thesystem according to claim 12, wherein the ordering behavior criteriacomprises at least one of: a maximum time for the delivery of the order;a maximum price for the order; a maximum delay in arriving at thedestination by driving to the determined coordinates for the meeting; aminimum average customer rating for the potential providers; and/orstored ordering behavior data for the occupant.
 14. The system accordingto claim 12, wherein the control unit and memory are configured todetermine the ordering probability using ordering preference criteria,and, if the determined ordering probability is greater than a predefinedminimum limit probability, the ordering function is provided foractivation in the motor vehicle.
 15. The system according to claim 12,wherein the control unit and memory are configured to store the orderingbehavior criteria in an occupant profile linked to the occupant of themotor vehicle.
 16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the controlunit and memory are configured to determine that a predefined drivingaction has been executed by the motor vehicle, and activate the orderingoption in response thereto.
 17. The system according to claim 10,wherein activating the ordering option comprises: transmitting a querysignal to the at least one potential provider to determine the at leastone potential provider is able to deliver the order to the determinedcoordinates and at the determined time for the intersection, andreceiving a response signal confirming the query signal; and activatingthe ordering option in response thereto.
 18. The system according toclaim 10, wherein the provider information comprises current order timedata, continuously generated using the traffic condition and planningcriteria, and indicating the latest possible time for activating theordering option in order to place the order such that it can bedelivered to the determined coordinates and at the determined time forthe intersection.
 19. A computer-readable medium including programinstructions on a storage medium, configured for operating an at leastsemiautonomous motor vehicle, in which an ordering function has beenactivated, comprising: instructions for obtaining provider information,via the ordering function, from potential providers that offer deliveryof an order of the ordering function via a mobile delivery system to apredefined area on at least one determined route; instructions fordetermining, for each of the potential providers, coordinates and a timefor an intersection of the motor vehicle with the mobile delivery systemfor the at least one determined route using current traffic conditioncriteria and planning criteria; instructions for displaying the obtainedprovider information together with respective determined coordinates andtime for the intersection; instructions for activating an orderingoption to place a delivery order with a potential provider, based on thedisplayed provider information; and instructions for activating an atleast semiautonomous guidance of the motor vehicle to the intersectionwith the mobile delivery system.
 20. The computer-readable mediumaccording to claim 19, further comprising: instructions for determininga respective ordering probability using order behavior criteria on theobtained provider information, and estimating the probability of anorder being successfully fulfilled with the determined potentialproviders.